Gisborne’s Te Ikaroa a Rauru waka footbridge recognised for design excellence

The now award-winning Te Ikaroa a Rauru footbridge is named after the ancestral waka Te Ikaroa a Rauru. Photo / GDC Facebook

Gisborne’s new Te Ikaroa a Rauru footbridge has been recognised at the 2025 Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) Excellence in Steel Awards, receiving top honours in the $500,000-$1.5 million category.

The bridge, fabricated in the form of a waka, was formally opened in October.

The SCNZ statement described the footbridge as a “seamless integration of art, culture and engineering – with artistic intent embedded in every structural decision.

“The result is a powerful example of how structural steel can deliver technical excellence while shaping enduring cultural landmarks.

“This stunning project takes the ability to convey culturally significant Māori objects to a whole new level, in how it was conceived, modelled, analysed, designed and built,” the judges said in a statement.

Close to 300 structural steel industry leaders and specialists gathered in Auckland earlier this month to celebrate the best of the best.

From nearly 50 award entries, judges selected 20 finalists that exemplified the outstanding design and craftsmanship achievable when steel is used as the primary construction material.

SCNZ chair Malcolm Hammond said the awards showcase the sector’s commitment to innovation, best practice and collaboration.

“The high calibre of projects showcased this year is a testament to the knowledge, expertise and dedication of our people,” Hammond said.

“It’s what distinguishes New Zealand’s structural steel industry from other countries, which is vital when local skills and capability are so highly sought after.”